Window device for garment bags



oct. 24, 195oA w. R. KoHL ErAL v wmnow DEVICE FOR'GARMENT BAGS Filed Nov. s, 1947 |||l|l ||IIIIHIIlllllllllllllllllllllll Patented Oct. 24, 1950 WINDOW Device FOR GARMENT BAGS William R. Kohl, Glenview, and Arden iL. Iver-son, Chicago, Ill., assignors to :Para-Lux ,Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 3, 1941,'SerialNo. lilla-818 This invention pertains to improvements in a simple, inexpensive and readily applied Window device for paper bags, particularly of the type commonly employed in the delivery or storage of garments and the like after dry cleaning thereof. However, the principles of the invention are also adapted for application to containers of other types.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the foregoing character which is inexpensively manufactured in quantity lots, employing a minimum of material, which is readily and quickly assembled and applied to the garment bags, and which is easily manipulated in use.

Another object is to provide a normally sealed Window device which, when applied in operative position over an opening in the garment bag or like container, functions to provide a light-tight and dust-tight-closure of said opening, preventing soiling or fading of or other damage to a garment or other article in the container.

Yet another object is to provide a Window device for containers which is characterized by a light-sealing flap hinged to the remainder of the device in a manner to enable said ap to be lifted when it is desired to View the contents of the container through an opening therein over which the device is applied, said flap having novel provisions for enabling the same to be replaced in covering relation to said opening and secured thereover against inadvertent displacement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a garment bag Window device having a closure flap of the foregoing type, in which said fiap is arranged to substantially overlap marginal edges of an opening in the garment bag.

A still further object is to provide a device of the type referred to in the preceding paragraph, which incorporates a double ply layer of transparent material effective to prevent entry of dust through an opening in the garment bag beforeand after said closure ap is displaced from sealing relation to the window device and bag.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general way of the nature of the invention, but other and more specific objects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a full understanding of the construction and operation of the device. f

A single embodiment of the invention is`presented herein for purpose of exemplication, but itWill be appreciated that the principles `of. the

9 claims. (C1. 206445.31

2 invention are susceptible of incorporationin still other modified forms ycoming equally Within the scope of the appended claims. Y

In the drawings,

Fig. l isl a fragmentary view in front elevation illustrating a window device in accordance with the present invention, as applied to a conventional vgarment bagor the like (indicated fragrnentary),l showing the device in the condition thereof prior to loosening and lifting of a closure flap thereof for the inspection of garments or other articles in the bag;

Fig. 2 is a view of the device itself in its flat condition, showing the internal parts of the same prior to folding and applying the device to the `garment bag; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical central section through a Wall of the garment bag and window device applied thereto, illustrating in solid lines the manner of swinging the closure flap of the device outwardly to enable inspection of the contents of the bag, and in dotted lines the manner of swinging the fla-p reversely to return and re-engage the same in operative sealing relation to the bag;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing the mode of bending a locking tab ofthe aforesaid flap prior to engaging said tab v in locking relation to the remainder of the dev1ce';`

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the body of the device in its condition for the reception of the folded locking tab of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 but sho-wing the closure flap in closed position, being vin vertical cross section along line 6-6 of Fig. 7; andy Y Fig. '7 is a'fragmentary View in front elevation similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the relationship of the parts in the replaced and locked condition of the sealing ap of the Window device.

The present invention affords a simple! and inexpensivewindow device adapted to be readilyv and quickly applied to Agarment bags ofwell known types, or other related types of containers which are provided with an aperture in a wall thereof for the inspection of their contents. A portion-of such a garment bag or container is fragmentarily illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 'land iis-designated by the reference numeral 10. 4The window-device per 'se is illustrated in Fig. 2 -inits `dat condition prior to nal folding theref and application to the bag Il), being generally designated by the reference numeral Il. Fig. V1

shows-the device Il in operative position on the bag, but prio1 to manipulation of a flap of the device to expose the contents of the bag through an inspection opening I2 cut therein. Fig. 7 shows the condition of the parts after such manipulation, with the device operatively relocked in sealing relation to said window.

The window device as illustrated in blank form in Fig. 2, comprises an elongated, generally rectangular, two-panelled blank I3 of a suitable lightweight, exible paperboard stock. This blank is subdivided transversely by a creased fold line I4 at approximately its medial point into outer and inner sections or panels I5, I6 respectively, of which the former is of substantially greater width and somewhat greater length than the latter.

The smaller panel I6 is provided with a cutout aperture I'I in its approximate center which is spaced substantially inwardly of the end and side margins of said section and from the fold line I4. The larger panel I is provided with a generally U-shaped slit including side portions I8 paralleling and spaced substantially inwardly from the side margins of said panel, transversely extending portions I9 connected with said respective side portions and paralleling and spaced from the fold line I4, and the convergent neck portions which approach the aforesaid fold line. The slitting of the blanks is completed by the inverted U-shaped, tab defining slit 2| which extends into the panel I6, crossing the fold line I4 into panel I6 at a point immediately adjacent the ends of curved slits 20. The ends of slit 2I are spaced slightly from but aligned with the adjacent ends of said slits 20, leaving the small increments of material 22 therebetween which are adapted to be torn readily.

The aforesaid slitting of panels I5, I6 affords a closure flap 23 normally sealing a similarly shaped inspection opening 24 of U-shaped outline in the panel I5. Said ap terminates at its free end in a locking tab 25 cut from the material of panel I6. Flap 23 is adapted for hinging movement about a line between the opposed inturned termini 26 of slits I8.

An elongated rectangular sheet of exible transparent window material such as cellophane, designated by the reference numeral 2'I, is applied over the aforesaid slitted and out areas of the blank, in the fashion illustrated in Fig. 2, being adhered to the panels I5, I5 externally of theopening I'Iand the slit I8 in a manner to seal the device against entry of dust through those out portions.

With the window sheet so applied, the device is folded along the fold line I4 and adhesively secured around its border to the garmentk bag I0, care being taken that the aperture I1 in panel I6 registers with the inspection opening I2 in the wall of said bag. In folding the panels along line I4, the tab 25 is retained in the plane' of its panell I6, by reason of the connection of the iiapI 23 to said panel by the small amounts of material at 22. The tab 25 laterally overhangs the lower margin of the device, represented bythe fold line I4, as illustrated in Fig. `l, but may be readily engaged by a nger nail to tear the material at 22 and 'free flap 23 for outward swinging movement.

In the above condition, it will be noted that the flap 23 substantially overextends the margins ofthe opening I'I in panel I6 and the subjacent garment bag opening I2. It therefore effectively seals the bag against the entry of light apt to cause discoloration or fading of garments.. therein. The double thickness of cellophane disposed between panels I5, I6 further protects the interior against the entry of moths. dirt and foreign matter.

When it is desired to view the contents of the bag or other container through the openings Il, I2 the user merely pries tab 25 loose with a linger nail, rupturing the material at 22, whereupon said ap 23 may be swung upwardly from the position of Fig. 1 to the solid line position of Fig. 3, exposing said openings. In replacing the flap to sealing relation to the garment bag, the tab 25 is rst folded rearwardly and upwardly along the portion of the creased fold line I4 which extends transversely thereacross onto the rear surface of the neck of the tab, i. e., from the solid line position of tab 25 in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position. This leaves the laterally extending ears 28 of said tab exposed on either side of the reduced neck of the llap 23, as illustrated in Fig. 4. It will be observed in Fig. 5 that the panel I5, adjacent the marginal fold line I4, nov.7 presents the laterally spaced retainer ears 29, so that it is only necessary for the user to buckle the flap outwardly and upwardly somewhat to enable the locking ears 28 of tab 25 to be slit downwardly and into the pocket behind said retaining ears 29, in the fashion illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7. The coaction of these locking and retaining ears thereafter serves to maintain closure flap 23 in its original sealing relation to the opening Il. Should it be desired to again remove the flap for viewing the garment bag contents, it is only necessary to slide the same upwardly slightly whereby to disengage said ears and ena-ble flap 23 tc be again swung outwardly to the solid line position of Fig. 3.

The locking action provided by the foregoing parts is positive and displacement resisting. Furthermore, the folding of the flap on line i4 to displace tab 25 rearwardly has the effect of reinforcing and stilening the flap at this point against bending about a vertical axis. As a result, the flap is only removed from the locking engagement thereof with panel I5 by the aforesaid upward sliding movement. It cannot be released inadvertently.

What we claim is:

1. A window device for a container having aninspection opening therein, said device comprising a pair of inner and outer panels adapted to be secured to said container in superposed relation to one another over said opening, one of the panels having an aperture therein and the other y being cut to provide a closure flap hingedly con- 2. A window device for a container having an inspection opening therein, said device comprising la, flexiblefibrous member subdivided by a transverse fold line into a pair of inner and outer panels adapted to be secured to said container in superposed vrelation to one another over said opening, one of `the panels having an aperture therein andthe other being cut to provide a closure flap hingedly'connected thereto, saidlap 3. A window device for a container having anY inspection opening thereon, said device comprising a flexible member subdivided by a transverse fold line into a pair of Ainner and outer panels adapted to be folded on one another and marginally secured to said container over said opening, said inner panel having an inspection aperture therein and said outer panel having a hinged closure flap therein, said flap in the folded condition of said device overlapping said fold line at a margin of the device and having a laterally enlarged tab portion lockingly engageable beneath said outer panel.

4. A window device for a container having an inspection opening therein, said device comprising a flexible member subdivided by a transverse fold line into a pair of inner and outer panels adapted to be folded on one another and marginally secured to said container over said opening, said inner panel having an inspection aperture therein and said outer panel having a hinged closure flap therein, said flap in the folded condition of said device overlapping said fold line at a margin of the device and having a laterally enlarged tab portion which is foldable onto the flap and lockingly engageable beneath said outer panel.V

5. A window device for a container having an inspection opening therein, said device comprising a flexible member subdivided by a transverse fold line into a pair of inner and outer panels adapted to be folded on one another and marginaly secured to said container over said opening, said inner panel having an inspection aperture therein in register With said opening in said folded condition and said outer panel being slitted to partially sever a closure flap therefrom, said flap being hingedly connected to said outer panel and in the folded condition of said device overlapping the margin of the device defined by said fold line.

6. A window device for a container having an inspection opening therein, said device comprising a flexible member subdivided by a transverse fold line into a pair of inner and outer panels adapted to be folded on one another and vmarginally secured to said container over said opening, said inner panel having an inspection aperture therein in register with said opening in said folded condition and said outer panel being slitted to partially sever a closure flap therefrom, said flap being hingedly connected to said outer panel and in the folded condition of said device overlapping the margin of the device defined by said folded line, and transparent sheet material marginally secured to said member between said panels to cover said aperture.

7. A window device for bags and like contain- Y 6 ers provided with an inspection opening, comprising a flexible sheet-like member folded on itself to provide superposed panels connected by-a fold line on one side thereof, said member being slitted to provide a closure ilap hinged to one of said panels and provided with a locking tab at the free end thereof opposite its hinge to said one of the sections, said panels defining a pocket therebetween and said tab having an enlarged end cut from the other of said panels which is slidably engageable in said pocket, said iiap being normally held removably to said one of said panels by connecting increments of the material.

8. A blank for a Window device of the type described comprising a flexible sheet-like member adapted to be subdivided into a pair of panels by a transverse line of fold, one of said panels being slitted Within the marginal limits thereof to define a closure flap hinged thereto for swinging movement, said flap including a tab portion adjacent the free end thereof which extends across said line of fold and is at least in part cut from the material of the other panel, said tab portion havnglaterally extending ears which are bendable and retainingly engageable between said panels when the latter are superposed by folding on said line of fold, but normally overlying said l line in the plane of said flap. y

9. A blank for a window device of the type described comprising a flexible sheet-like member adapted to be subdivided into a pair of panels by a transverse line of fold, one of said panels being slitted within the marginal limits thereof to dene a closure iiap hinged thereto for swinging movement but normally partially connected to said panel other than by said hinge, said flap including a tab portion adjacent the free end thereof which extends across said line of fold and is at least in part cut from the material of the other panel, said tab portion having laterally extending ears which are bendable and retainingly engageable between said panels when the latter are superposed by folding on said line of fold, but normally overlying said line in the plane of said flap.

WILLIAM R. KOI-1L. ARDEN L. IVERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson Sept. 14, 1943 

